What Time Do You Check In (DVC Resorts)?

[DrTomorrow]

Some threads discussing how check-in time affects room availability and/or meeting certain requests have got me thinking (yes, that is what you smell burning ):

What time do you typically check in at a DVC resort? And by 'check-in', I mean the time you actually go to the front desk to get your room, not when the room is actually ready. I realize that one choice won't cover ever DVC trip you've taken, but please select the one that best represents your experiences.

Thanks much!

NOTE: Please limit this to DVC Resorts; hey, I love the Polynesian too, but that's a Stitch of a different color!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We like to fly in the night before, stay somewhere off site that offers breakfast, then get over to Disney, to check in around 10AM. When we've done this, we've gotten into the room before noon once (this was our last, great experience at OKW), and had to wait until closer to 4 twice. Each time the room has been more than just acceptable.

We have also been happy when we've checked in between 4 and 6 PM. We have no other experiences.


Bobbi

 

[Luigi's Girl]

very interesting. i was wondering about this myself. we have always checked in early in the morning, left all our things in the car and go to one of the parks. our rooms have always been what we had requested. this trip we'll be checking in after 6:00pm and i'm worried we won't get the view and type of room we requested. i am very curious to get some feedback here. thanks!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Usually noon-4PM.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

We usually arrive at about noon. I voted noon-4pm.

 

[CarolMN]

It varies. Depends on whether we begin our stay off site and if not, what time the plane lands. That varies depending on when I could get decent airfare, LOL!

 

[Scoootch]

I voted between 8am and noon because usually that's when we get there ~ somewhere around 9:30 -10 am being that we live in FL but...this last trip we checked in a day early (added the extra day the same day) and didn't check in until around 7:15pm or so because we had to wait until dh got home from work to leave for WDW. I don't know if we just totally lucked out or not but we were fortuneate enough to have had all our requests met.

 

[DVC-Don]

Due to our flight times, we usually arrive at the resort about 11 to 11:30 AM.

 

[Chuck S]

It depends, if we fly in , it can be anywhere from 11am to 5pm. If we drive, it is anywhere from 8am to 2pm, depending on traffic/road conditions/stops/etc.

My preference is to check-in before noon. But nothing is a given with the travel conditions that exist today.

 

[Sammy]

We've only had two DVC stays so far. Each time, we have arrived around 11:30 - midnight. In Feb., for OKW, the only request honored was non-smoking. Two weeks ago for BCV, we got all our requests met: non-smoking, upper floor, overlooking the pool. I would imagine the time of year is a big factor in getting your room requests if checking in very late.

Sammy

 

[cgcw]

We've had first hand experience with requests not being met because of check in time. Even though we had a non-smoking request due to medical reasons, we had to accept a smoking optional room as that was all available when we checked in late afternoon. Although in the end, the room was fine and didn't smell of smoke, we will try to prevent it from happening again.

So, we'll be taking the first flight and hope to have an check in before noon from now on.

 

[jbwolffiv]

We got to WDW in the late afternoon th day prior to checkin and stayed at the All Star Resorts for the night. This is where we stayed on all previous trips and it was nice to stay there again. This allows us to get up and have breakfast and check in around 10. We usually do not plan this to be a park day, maybe shop at DD. Our room was not ready at 10 but was at 1. This will be our plan next summer too.

 

[JimC]

We normally take a morning flight out and are at the resort by noon.

 

[kweaver]

We drive from Atlanta...usually leave at a decent hour in the AM...and arrive before 4pm.

Last time we stayed off site the first night...I don't think we'll be doing that very often. I tried to make it easy...packing our things for one night all in the same bag...but it still wasn't easy. What a pain.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We usually get there around noon for check in. Rarely do we get into our unit then, but we usualy head to a park or grocery shop before we get into the unit.

 

[zulaya]

I like to take the first flight of the AM and check in between noon and 1pm. I have had non-smoking requests met every time, but the other view requests were hit or miss. BUT the view thing really depends more on who is checking out the day you are checking in, so while I wistfully wish for a view sometimes, non-smoking is the biggest deal ever!

This trip,however, we are taking the last flight out and will not check in until probably 8pm on a Friday night. I am VERY VERY worried that despite my non-smoking for legitimate medical reasons, we will be assigned a smoking optional room in a room that actually has been smoked in. We are only flying in the night before because we have limited time with my family who will only be there a couple days. If we took the first AM flight, as usual, the next day, we'd lose a half a day with them, which is a lot of time when you only have 2 days all together.

**Minor hijack ahead**
I really wish that non-smoking was a guarantee in your reservation. If they can make the Boardwalk view a reservation, then they can easily make non-smoking a reservation, not a request. At least if people are trying to make a ressie, and are told that only smoking optional rooms are left, they can make the decision at the time of reservation if they want to travel on those dates. Then at least you won't be forced to stay in a smoking room when you arrive, and have no other choice but to accept it or lose your points.

And this would benefit ALL resort owners, not just guests at a specific resort.
**Minor hijack over **

 

[LoveToDisney]

I also think what DAY of the week you check in matters a LOT! Especially at BCV since is usually always full.

 

[lenshanem]

Yikes! So it appears that if you check in after 4 you're gonna get my room at OKW.

Very interesting poll DrTomorrow.

Like Katie since we drive from Atlanta if we left early morning we would still be cutting it close to when we would have to have leftovers...

I don't mind staying at a value one night to get an early check in, but hubby has told me those days are ending. He doesn't like to have to pack up even with the resorts transferring the luggage. He wants to get settled and stay.

I sent MS an email today expressing some concerns.

I really don't like that we could potentially book eleven months out and get in an hour after someone else who booked a month ago and they get the better room. I personally think that stinks. Some requests such as nonsmoking, tub in a studio, etc. should just be guaranteed. I've already said this several times now, but if you call and then those rooms aren't available at least you know before you arrive.

Does anyone else agree?


Maybe another good poll would be who specifically stays at another resort just so they can get an early check in to better their chances on their room assignment? Cause from the looks of this poll it might be high.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Some threads discussing how check-in time affects room availability and/or meeting certain requests have got me thinking (yes, that is what you smell burning ):

noon-4 for us.... But I have to add... my DH just burned toast and the smell hit me just as I was reading this post. Freaky

 

[DebbieB]

We usually check-in between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. However, the last 2 times at OKW we had to take a late flight and did not check-in until between 7:00 and 8:00. Last year it was a Friday night and we got our requests. This year it was a Sunday night (the most popular DVC check-in day) and we did not get our requests (except non-smoking).

Guaranteed non-smoking is a good idea. However, there has to be some kind of rules to penalize those who smoke in a non-smoking. It's been reported many times that the front desk will tell someone who has a smoking request and can only get a non-smoking room that it's OK to go ahead and smoke in it. That has to stop.